CBS 2’s Savini pleads guilty to DUI

Written By BY BILL BIRD
Sun-Times Media Posted: 03/06/2014, 06:39am

Dave Savini / WBBM-Channel 2 photo

CBS 2 News investigative reporter Dave Savini pleaded guilty Tuesday to drunken driving, stemming from a case early last month that began in the drive-through lane of a Naperville fast-food restaurant.

Savini, 47, of Naperville, pleaded guilty in DuPage County Circuit Court in Wheaton to a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Companion charges of battery, endangering the health or life of a child and leaving the scene of an accident involving vehicular damage were dismissed in exchange for that plea.

Judge James J. Konetski ordered him to perform 200 hours of community service work as part of his penalty. Savini also was placed on a year of court supervision, ordered to attend the county’s drunken-driving school, make restitution to the driver of the vehicle damaged in the incident and pay a fine of $1,700 plus court costs, said his attorney, Terry Ekl.

Savini was arrested following the incident that began about 12:20 a.m. Jan. 4 at a Naperville Taco Bell and ended in the parking lot of a strip mall not far from his home.

Following the hearing, Savini released a written, four-sentence statement to members of the local media covering the case.

“There’s no doubt about it, I made a mistake and used bad judgment, to drive after drinking,” Savini wrote. “I take full responsibility and I apologize — I deeply regret it.”

“My heartfelt thanks to my family, friends, colleagues and viewers who have supported me during this very difficult time,” Savini wrote. “I look forward to get (sic) back to work, and I will work hard to regain the trust of those who I may have let down.”